Hygge is a wonderful Danish word that means pulling away from the daily rush to spend meaningful time with loved ones, or yourself, just relaxing and “being.”
It’s “cozy togetherness” and, on a personal level, “coziness for the soul.”
It’s an uncluttered, unhurried way of life - the opposite of what many of us are accustomed to.
How to Add Hygge
Nobody does hygge better than our furry friends. They are experts at finding soft, warm places to sleep in winter, and cool, smooth places to beat the summer heat. They know how to turn off instantly and enjoy a glorious nap - and then wake up just as instantly, ready for anything.
But most of us are terrible at the self-care implied in hygge. We’re too busy, too responsible, too caught up in FOMO. Our lists are too long, our time too short. But here’s the thing. Choosing hygge - and not just on Sunday mornings but daily, even in small amounts - will make you happier and less stressed.
There are many ways to bring more hygge into your life. It can be overwhelming wondering where to start so start with creating a space in your home where you feel comfortable by yourself or surrounded by friends and family.
A Cozy Spot By the Fire
First, create a cozy spot that begs to be enjoyed daily. Our favorite spot is by the fire, of course. Sure, we’re a little biased, but isn’t fire just the best thing ever to make a home feel like a true sanctuary?
It doesn’t matter what kind of fire. Wood, gas, electric… It doesn’t matter. Humans have always been drawn to the mesmerizing dance of flames!
A comfy place to sit and the requisite blankets and pillows will make you want to melt into the “aaaaahhhhh” for at least a little while every day.
Daily Me Time, Minus the Rectangles
Don’t get us wrong, we all love our electronic devices but to take a brain break from all that overstimulation, unplug the “rectangles” for a few minutes every day. No TV, no tablet, no phone.
Why every day? If you’re going at 100 miles an hour and only take time to relax on the weekends, you actually miss out on a lot of the small details that make life enjoyable. The sounds of birds singing. The clouds rolling by. The chatter of kids playing. Getting caught up in a good book.
If you find it hard to “do nothing” - we get it, to-do lists don’t shrink on their own - simply gaze at the fire for 10 minutes. Let yourself get lost in their sensuous dance. Let your worries melt away. Did you know that this will put you into a deep meditative state in just a few minutes?
A few minutes of fireside “meditation” (even if you don’t call it meditation) is scientifically proven to not only reduce stress, but also help you be more focused and mentally organized.You end up getting more done while still taking time to “stop and smell the roses.”
Daily Chill
Cats and dogs are wise teachers. They show us what really matters in life. While hygge is so much more than a daily self-care break, this is one practice that you will come to appreciate very much.
